Pacesetter Micrometer 3-Die Set (.308 Winchester)

The Lee Pacesetter is the cheapest honest way into rifle handloading, and it gives up less than the price suggests. The set is three dies: a full-length sizing die, a micrometer bullet seating die, and Lee's Factory Crimp Die. That micrometer seater is the surprise, because seating depth as a numbered, repeatable adjustment is normally a feature of dies costing three times as much; here it means you can record a seating depth and return to it rather than creeping up on a lock ring. The Factory Crimp Die is the third piece and it post-sizes the loaded round as it crimps, which is useful insurance on ammunition headed for a tube magazine or a semi-automatic. Lee also puts a universal shell holder, a powder measure, and load data in the box, so this is the only set in this guide where opening it leaves you with the cartridge-specific tooling you need rather than a shopping list. Fit and finish trail RCBS, Hornady, Forster, and Redding on close inspection, which is the honest trade for the price.